Peach tree named &#39;pearl princess xii&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a medium size, moderately vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid to late blooming season and requires about 600 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in the last half of August, with first picking on Aug. 20, 2013. The fruit is uniform, very large in size, globose in shape, freestone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red in skin color, and a tasty balance of light acid and sugar in flavor.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Pearl Princess XII’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we,the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine,plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. We also grow a smallernumber of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually tocapture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new anddistinct variety of peach tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘Pearl Princess XII’.

During the summer of 2006 we gathered about 1000 open pollinated seedsfrom the fruit of several different peach trees that exhibited desiredcharacteristics. These trees, some experimental and some patentedvarieties, were all located on the breeding grounds of our experimentalorchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San JoaquinValley). All of the seeds that came from white flesh freestone peacheswere mixed together and dried in a container labeled “WPF (OP)”. Theseseeds were then planted as a group in November, 2006, in row “36M” ofthe experimental orchard referenced above. About 500 of the seedgerminated and sprouted the following spring. The resulting group ofseedlings were grown using normal cultural practices for three years,and then the fruit from each individual tree was carefully evaluated.During the fruit evaluation season of 2011 we selected the presentvariety as a single tree from the group of seedlings described above forexhibiting desirable qualities. Subsequent to origination of the presentvariety of peach tree, we asexually reproduced it by budding andgrafting in the experimental orchard described above, and suchreproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to theoriginal plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety includedthe use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the presentvariety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Glacier Princess’ peach (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 23,867) by having a medium vigorous tree with largeblossoms, by having reniform leaf glands, by being self-fertile, byhaving a bitter tasting kernel, and by producing white flesh freestonepeaches that are very large in size, mostly red in skin color, globosein shape, firm in texture, and good in flavor, but is distinguishedtherefrom by blooming about ten days later, by requiring more chillinghours, and by producing fruit that matures about fifteen days earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

The present peach variety is characterized by a medium size, moderatelyvigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. Thevariety blooms during the mid to late blooming season and requires about600 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditionsdescribed in the last half of August, with first picking on Aug. 20,2013. The fruit is uniform, very large in size, globose in shape,freestone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color,mostly red in skin color, and a tasty balance of light acid and sugar inflavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, two insets to reveal buds andblossoms, and typical leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Aug. 23, 2013, on the original tree during itsseventh growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were madethe previous blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

It is to be noted that the 2013 fruit season in California was very warmduring the spring and the ripening times of almost all varieties wereabout ten days earlier than other years.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—Unknown white flesh freestone peach.        -   Pollen parent.—Unknown.-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large, reaching and maintaining a height of            10′ [3.05 m.] and a spread of 9′ [2.74 m.] after seven            growing seasons utilizing typical dormant pruning.        -   Vigor.—Medium vigor, responding typically to irrigation and            fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of            surplus top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant            should be grown on a standard commercial rootstock for            production purposes.        -   Growth.—Spreading and dense.        -   Form.—Vase type.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to central California winters.        -   Heat tolerance.—Observed to perform adequately in typical            central California climatic conditions, which typically            include extended periods of heat.        -   Drought tolerance.—Variety is developed for commercial            orchards and requires regular irrigation.        -   Production.—Productive, thinning necessary.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Bearing.—Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet            observed.        -   Approximate chilling requirement.—600 hours.        -   Trunk.—Size. — Stocky, reaching a maximum diameter of 4″            [101.6 mm.] after the seventh growing season. Texture. —            Medium shaggy. Bark Color. — A Light grayish brown [60.            l.gy.Br] and Dark grayish brown [62. d.gy.Br] variegation            with Brownish orange [54. brO] crevices present. Lenticels.            — Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 6. Color: Dark orange            yellow [72. d.OY]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Shape:            Eye-shaped, elongated.        -   Branches.—Size. — Diameter of main scaffold is 2¾″ [69.9            mm.] measured 12″ above the crotch, diameter of limb is 1¾″            [44.5 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork. Texture. —            Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing roughness            with age. Color. — 1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19.            gy.R]. 1st Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116.            brill.YG]. Older Wood: A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Dark            grayish brown [62. d.gy.Br] variegation with Light grayish            yellowish brown [79. l.gy.yBr] crevices present. Lenticels.            — Number Per Square Inch: About 50 on second year wood.            Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Size: 1/64″ [0.4            mm.] to 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] on second year wood. Shape:            Eye-shaped, elongated.        -   Leaves.—Size. — Large. Average Length: 6¼″ [158.8 mm.].            Average Width: 1¾″ [44.5 mm.]. Arrangement. — Alternate.            Thickness. — Medium. Form. — Elliptical. Apex. — Acuminate.            Base. — Acute to rounded. Surface. — Smooth. Color. — Dorsal            Surface: Deep yellow green [118. deep YG]. Ventral Surface:            Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG]. Margin. — Finely serrate.            Venation. — Pinnately net veined. Vein Color. — Light yellow            green [119. l.YG]. Petiole. — Average Length: 7/16″ [11.1            mm.]. Average Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Brilliant            yellow green [116. brill.YG]. Stipules. — Number: Usually 2            per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip. Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5            mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming            Dark grayish reddish brown [47. d.gy.rBr] with maturity.            Glands. — Number: 2 to 6 per leaf. Position: Alternately            positioned on base of blade with a few on petiole. Size:            Medium. Form: Reniform. Color: Brilliant yellow green [116.            brill.YG] acquiring a Deep reddish brown [41. deep rBr]            center with age. Leaf Buds. — Pointed, medium in size.        -   Flower buds.—Hardiness. — Hardy, with respect to central            California winters. Diameter. — Typically 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] 1            week before bloom. Length. — Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.] 1 week            before bloom. Form. — Not appressed. Surface. — Pubescent.            Tip Color. — Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk].        -   Flowers.—Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single            pistil, about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations            alternately positioned. Type. — Showy, large. Average Flower            Diameter. — 2″ [50.8 mm.]. Number of Petals. — Usually five,            extra petal fragments commonly occur, double blossoms rarely            observed. Petal Shape. — Circular to oval. Petal Margin. —            Entire, wavy, occasional notches. Average Petal Diameter. —            ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Average Petal Length. — 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].            Petal Apex. — Rounded. Petal Base. — Rounded to somewhat            truncate. Petal Color. — Light pink [4. l.Pk] toward the            apex, Strong purplish pink [247. s.pPk] toward the base on            both sides. Anther Color. — Light yellowish pink [28. l.yPk]            over a Light yellow [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset. Stigma            Color. — Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].

Average Pistil Length. — 13/16″ [20.6 mm.]. Average Stamen Length. — ⅝″[15.9 mm.]. Sepal Color. — Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outersurface. Sepal Length. — ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Sepal Width. — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].Sepal Apex. — Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length and width.Fragrance. — Moderate. Blooming Period. — Medium to late, five daysbefore ‘Diamond Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,066) peach. Onset ofBloom. — One percent on Mar. 7, 2013. Date of Full Bloom. — Mar. 14,2013. Duration of Bloom. — One to two weeks, dependent on ambienttemperature. Number per cluster. — 1 to 3 with single flowers mostcommon.

-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe, Aug. 23, 2013.        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 20, 2013.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 30, 2013.        -   Size.—Uniform, very large. Average Diameter Axially. — 3⅛″            [79.4 mm.]. Average Diameter Across Suture Plane. — 3 5/16″            [84.2 mm.]. Average Diameter Across Cheek Plane. — 3⅜″ [85.7            mm.] Typical Weight. — 11.4 ounces [323 grams].        -   Form.—Uniform, globose, symmetrical. Longitudinal Section            Form. — Round to slightly oblate. Axial View. — Round.        -   Suture.—An inconspicuous line located in a shallow groove            that extends from the base, along the side, to just beyond            the pistil point. Near the Base. — A very shallow groove.            Along the Side. — A line with some stitching. Near the Apex.            — A shallow groove.        -   Ventral surface.—Rounded, lipped slightly toward the apex on            both sides.        -   Lips.—Equal toward the apex, slightly unequal along the            sides.        -   Cavity.—Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side,            Pinkish white [9. pkWhite] stem markings typical. Depth. —            ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Breadth. — 1 7/16″ [36.5 mm.].        -   Base.—Somewhat truncate.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Pistil point.—Apical, negligible in length, sometimes            depressed within the suture.        -   Stem.—Medium. Average Length. — ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Width.            — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Skin.—Thickness. — Medium. Surface. — Pubescent. Tenacity. —            Tenacious to flesh. Astringency. — Non-astringent. Tendency            to Crack. — None observed in dry season. Color. — Dark red            [16. d.R] smoothly blending to Light grayish red [18.            l.gy.R] with Yellowish white [92. yWhite] areas where            protected from the sun. Down. — Moderate, short, does not            roll up when rubbed.        -   Flesh.—Color. — Mostly White [263. White] with Pinkish white            [9. pkWhite] and Moderate red [15. m.R] streaking toward the            stone. Surface of Pit Cavity. — Covered with Dark red [16.            d.R] fibers. Amygdalin. — Slight. Juice. — Moderate, rich.            Texture. — Firm, crisp, melting. Fibers. — Abundant, tender.            Ripens. — Somewhat earlier toward the apex. Flavor. — A            delicious balance of slight acid and strong sugar, typically            16 to 18 brix. Aroma. — Very slight. Eating Quality. — Very            good.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Freestone.        -   Form.—Oval.        -   Hilum.—Narrow.        -   Base.—Rounded to truncate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Sides.—Fairly equal.        -   Surface.—Irregularly furrowed toward the apex, pitted toward            the base.        -   Ridges.—Jagged.        -   External color.—Moderate brown [58. m.Br].        -   Pit wall color when cracked.—Moderate brown [58. m.Br].        -   Cavity surface color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].        -   Average pit wall thickness.—¼″ [6.4 mm.]        -   Average width.—1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].        -   Average length.—1⅝″ [41.3 mm.].        -   Average breadth.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Tendency to split.—Very slight.        -   Kernel.—Form. — Oval. Skin Color. — Strong yellowish brown            [74. s.yBr] when first removed. Pellicle Color. — Grayish            brown [61. gy.Br]. Vein Color. — Grayish brown [61. gy.Br].            Taste. — Bitter. Viable. — Yes. Average Width. — 7/16″ [11.1            mm.]. Average Length. — ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Amygdalin. —            Abundant.-   Use:    -   -   Market.—Fresh market and long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Good, fruit quality observed to remain in            good condition after 17 days in standard cold room at 36°            Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].        -   Shipping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to insects.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.        -   Resistance to diseases.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Other notes: Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the    described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le    Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is    to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur    when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different    soil types, and/or varying cultural practices.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Glacier Princess’peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,867) by having a medium vigorous tree withlarge blossoms, by having reniform leaf glands, by being self-fertile,by having a bitter tasting kernel, and by producing white fleshfreestone peaches that are very large in size, mostly red in skin color,globose in shape, firm in texture, and good in flavor, but isdistinguished therefrom by blooming about ten days later, by requiringmore chilling hours, and by producing fruit that matures about fifteendays earlier.